Synonyms of controls

controls 1 of 2

noun

plural of control

1

as in controllers

a mechanism for adjusting the operation of a device, machine, or system

the controls for the player are well marked

Synonyms & Similar Words

• controllers
• regulators
• switches
• actuators
• levers
• buttons
• knobs
• selectors
• dials
• keys
• push buttons

2

as in hands

the ability to direct the course of something

after the tail fell off, the plane went out of the pilot's control

firefighters keeping control of the blaze

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hands
• grasps
• holds
• directions
• powers
• arms
• commands
• clutches
• regulations
• helms
• operations
• grips
• jurisdictions
• governments
• managements
• guidance
• dominions
• administrations
• authorities
• dominations
• sways
• governances
• mights
• oversights
• supervisions
• superintendences
• masteries

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weaknesses
• impotences
• impotencies

3

as in operations

the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something

control of manufacturing operations was given to a new manager with fresh ideas

Synonyms & Similar Words

• operations
• managements
• supervisions
• directions
• handlings
• administrations
• oversights
• stewardships
• regulations
• governments
• guidance
• governances
• charges
• conducts
• care
• presidencies
• superintendences
• leaderships
• superintendencies
• intendances
• manipulations
• custodies
• logistics
• protections
• agencies
• generalships
• trusts
• rulerships
• machinations
• wards
• guardianships
• laps
• tutelages
• aegises
• codirections
• coadministrations

4

as in powers

the right or means to command or control others

teachers are responsible for the students under their control

Synonyms & Similar Words

• powers
• sways
• dominions
• reigns
• grips
• reins
• commands
• authorities
• arms
• clutches
• influences
• jurisdictions
• death grips
• holds
• privileges
• sovereignties
• dominances
• voices
• managements
• pulls
• weights
• rights
• directions
• prerogatives
• leverages
• masteries
• supremacies
• predominances
• imperiums
• clouts
• importances
• eminences
• moments

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weaknesses
• impotences
• impotencies

controls

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of control

1

as in regulates

to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)

you must learn to control your temper

Synonyms & Similar Words

• regulates
• contains
• curbs
• keeps
• restrains
• measures
• governs
• rules
• checks
• suppresses
• constrains
• stifles
• inhibits
• holds
• tames
• stops
• reins (in)
• pulls in
• interrupts
• bridles
• blocks
• represses
• swallows
• chokes (back)
• holds back
• pockets
• hinders
• muffles
• smothers
• strangles
• hampers
• arrests
• impedes
• obstructs
• squelches
• sinks
• silences
• bottles (up)
• minces
• handcuffs
• muzzles
• gags

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• loses
• liberates
• loosens
• expresses
• takes out
• unleashes
• looses
• vents
• airs

2

as in contains

to gain emotional or mental control of

he controlled himself only with the greatest difficulty in the face of his opponent's insulting remarks

Synonyms & Similar Words

• contains
• composes
• calms
• restrains
• collects
• re-collects
• settles
• holds back
• recovers
• rallies
• soothes
• lulls
• tranquilizes
• stills
• quiets

3

as in rules

to exercise authority or power over

circumstances often control the choices we make in life

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rules
• governs
• dictates
• dominates
• commands
• manages
• bosses
• sways
• oversees
• presides (over)
• domineers
• regulates
• administers
• captains
• leads
• supervises
• conducts
• directs
• masters
• micromanages
• heads
• reigns (over)
• oppresses
• superintends
• subjugates
• conquers
• subdues
• tyrannizes
• lords (it over)

4

as in operates

to look after and make decisions about

during the period that she controlled the company it was highly profitable

Synonyms & Similar Words

• operates
• manages
• supervises
• oversees
• regulates
• handles
• governs
• conducts
• runs
• guides
• directs
• keeps
• tends
• administers
• protects
• watches over
• administrates
• presides (over)
• superintends
• steers
• overlooks
• carries on
• leads
• stewards
• safeguards
• watches
• guards
• cares (for)
• pilots
• minds
• micromanages
• stage-manages
• codirects
• comanages

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of controls

Noun

Some like Indiana and Delaware have already passed various versions of price controls. — Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026

Tel Aviv — The co-pilot accused of attacking his colleague on board the Flydubai flight to Israel and trying to seize the controls probably acted alone, Israeli sources told CNN. — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026

Agent-wow does not use computer vision, screenshots, or direct keyboard and mouse controls. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026

Also check whether the company has changed its privacy policy or added new controls. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

But first responders have expressed concerns about dealing with the Cybercab’s lack of manual driving controls and its unique doors. — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026

Yaniv Hayun, who works as a plumber, was the passenger who removed the suspect from the cockpit and initially took the plane controls, crediting a TV show for knowing what to do in a flight emergency. — Clark Bentson, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Strict privacy regulations, including requirements for sensitive data segmentation, make robust access controls and staff training essential. — Sameer Bhat, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Pairing it with a Samsung phone unlocks even more cool features like gesture controls and advanced AI insights. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 25 Sep. 2026

Verb

Whether Apple is actually preparing that product is besides the point, Luria added that just the possibility shows how limited Oura’s competitive position could be against a company that controls the entire iPhone ecosystem. — Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026

The local administrative official reporter spoke to said the ELN controls both sides of the Colombia-Venezuela border and demands money for everything that transits through the area, not just drugs. — Nathan Jaccard, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026

The open seat is expected to be among a handful that will decide which party controls the majority next year. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026

Those are the exact controls a discount-approval workflow needs before an agent gets write access to pricing. — Eshaan Jain, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026

The group controls about one-third of Yemen’s landmass, though the areas under its control are the most strategically important and densely populated. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026

Russia controls the largest supply of what is considered the safest nuclear fuel for space missions. — Selam Gebrekidan, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Residents say Ethiopian federal forces retook Mekelle’s airport from Tigrayan fighters, but communications blackouts and fear of reprisals have left unclear who controls Tigray’s capital city. — Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

The agency would also create standards covering sandbox testing environments; air gaps, or isolating testing environments from the internet; kill switches; and controls that prevent models from escaping lab settings and roaming on the Internet. — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026